The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Court to grant its application for the forfeiture of former Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo’s properties, including his residence in Chamba Valley, arguing that he failed to provide proof of legitimate income.
Lusambo opposed the application and asked the High Court to dismiss it, asserting that the ACC’s case is based on mere suspicion rather than concrete evidence.
He argued that the commission had not established a factual basis to justify the forfeiture of his properties.
The ACC, through investigator Mulenga Mulenga, has maintained that Lusambo has not demonstrated a legitimate income source commensurate with the value of the properties in question.
The commission alleged that Lusambo acquired the assets, which include six incomplete flats and three houses in Silverest Gardens, through corrupt means.
Investigations revealed that Lusambo constructed his Chamba Valley residence on four subdivisions, with only one subdivision being titled.
The ACC disputed Lusambo’s claim of receiving $350,000 from consultancy work to fund the property’s construction, stating that he had not provided sufficient evidence to substantiate the transaction.
“The first interested party has not denied the contents of paragraph 13 of the affidavit in support of this application, which alleged that K2 Zambia Limited constructed a driveway at the cost of $28,250 and K50,000,” he stated.
A government valuation report submitted in court estimated the market value of the Chamba Valley property at K17.6 million and the reinstatement value at K13.5 million.
“We submit that in the absence of payslips, bank statements, or a letter of employment, there is no foundational basis upon which the allegation in paragraph nine of the affidavit in opposition filed by Lusambo—that he was a hardworking, enterprising youth whose financial standing was a result of diligence, resourcefulness, and legitimate economic activity—can stand,” he submitted.
The ACC alleged that Lusambo failed to pay property transfer tax for the transactions under scrutiny.
